Definition of the word deceive

The word "deceive" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the verb "decipere," which means "to catch in a snare" or "to ensnare." This verb is a combination of "de" meaning "down" or "away" and "cipere" meaning "to take." In the 14th century, Middle English adopted the Latin verb "decipere" and adapted it to "deceiven," which initially meant "to capture or entangle." Over time, the meaning evolved to imply trickery or misleading, such as "to lead astray" or "to deceive." The modern English word "deceive" has undergone significant semantic shifts, but its Latin roots remain evident in its connotation of cunning or deceit.